Government hopes for Opposition support on economic reforms

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi addressing a meeting of minority community at Bhavnagar, Gujarat, on Monday.

Union Minister of State for Parliamentary and Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi has expressed the hope that the upcoming winter session, beginning 26 November, will be constructive and progressive and sought the positive role from the Opposition in this regard.

Addressing a public meeting at Bhavnagar (Gujarat) on Monday, Naqvi said he is confident that the Opposition, including the Congress, will play a positive role during the upcoming Parliament session on issues related to economic reforms.

“He said that Bills such as the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the Real Estate (Regulation and Development) Bill, 2013 are crucial for economic growth. The GST has the potential to push India’s GDP by 1-2%. GST is a historic step in the direction of tax reforms and it would immediately transform India into a one big uniform market which will benefit all stakeholders,” Naqvi said.

Naqvi said the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Bill, 2013 and the Whistleblowers Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2015 will help in the fight against corruption. “I am hopeful that the Opposition will support the government on these Bills rising above party politics,” he added.

According to him, the Central government was ready for a detailed and positive discussion on all the issues concerning the common man of the country. He said the Opposition should also respect the historic mandate given to the Modi government in the Lok Sabha elections last year so that the session could be utilised for the people’s benefits, adding, “the Opposition should also become a part of the nation’s development journey”.

Naqvi said that the government is committed to make the upcoming session successful and fruitful and the government is talking to all the political parties for this purpose. An all-party meeting has been convened on 25 November to discuss the smooth functioning of Parliament, he said.

“The NDA government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been working for the country’s inclusive development and overall progress of all the people. Political-social-economic-educational empowerment of all the needy people, including the minorities, is our motive. The minorities have also been moving forward on the path of development along with other sections,” he said.